Meet Atty. Anthony Mark Emocling, the First Blind Bar Passer in the Exam's History
The 2022 Bar Examinations gave us 3,992 new attorneys. While a lot of stories deserve their own praises, Anthony Mark Emocling's has become a source of inspiration for many. This newly minted attorney had to overcome a different set of challenges in his life. The University of Baguio Law School graduate recently became the Philippines' first visually impaired Bar passer in the exam's more than 100-year history.
"Congratulations Anthony Mark Dulawan Emocling! My blind student at the University of Baguio, School of Law (UBSOL) who against all the odds and despite being blind is now a Lawyer!" wrote his professor, Atty. Pablito V. Sanidad Sr., in a post. The Narvacan, Ilocos Sur mayor also happens to be the university's former School of Law dean.
Emocling placed 1,407th when the results came out. He had graduated a cum laude in Political Science from the school, as well. The son of a taxi driver in Baguio City, Emocling had abruptly lost his vision when he was younger.
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In an interview with the Philippine Information Agency Cordillera, Emocling said that he went from dreaming about being a policeman to becoming a lawyer after listening to talk radio programs daily. "I was so fascinated and amazed by the way they talked and explained things," he added.
As a law student, Emocling also had to face difficulties like a lack of materials for the visually impaired and stereotyping. The new attorney credited the friends and the rest of the mentors who helped him review.
“They never gave up on me. They believed in my abilities (and) that I can do it. I also have good friends that supported my dreams, and they are the ones who also helped me in reviews," he told the agency. “Believe that you can do the dreams that you put in your heart. Set a goal and make it happen. There will be failures along the way but use them as a guide to motivate you to reach your dream."
